So I have about a billion things to do. Our Jr/Sr. Trip is coming up, when we take our 11th and 12th graders away for a short trip to get them ready for the next year, Jr. High Camp a week later, then High School Camp a week after that. Then August stuff will hit us hard, and all I can think about is how we are going do small group in the fall.
Like most Youth groups we take the summer off from small groups and kinda reevaluate what we have done. We have been meeting on campus and splitting into groups after a leader speaks on a subject. But this fall I am thinking about doing something different. I want your opinions. It’s OK if you think this is a bad idea. I can take it.
So I want to make small groups not just something you show up too but something you sign up for. A student will have to commit to an 8 week small group that will not just get together and talk about Jesus and not doing drugs but really dive in deeper about how to actually live out the principles that we see in Jesus’ life! I want my leaders to have an objective that their students must fulfill. Maybe it is journaling. The students must journal and come prepared for their small groups in order to stay in. They miss two and they are out until the next group sign ups. I remember getting kicked out of Summer School in the 11th grade for missing two days is this much different? The point being is that I see it all year long, Dave I cant make it to camp, Sunday morning, Tuesday night, that weekend getaway, that service project. Why? Because they have a sport or drumline or band and if they miss they are out! Is it really that we need these kids to be there so that we feel good about our program or do we want to give them the tools they need to succeed outside of our youth group?
I realize that maybe these ideas are a little extreme but I am looking forward to some good feedback from bright young youth Pastors and seasoned professionals alike. Let me know what you are doing. Thanks.